Loose leaf binder



Z? Sheets-Sheet 1 iNvENToR FREDERICK C. BINGHM 7:23' a'vlys' F. C. BINGHAM LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed April l, 1933 Oct. 2, 1934.

oci. 2, 1934.

F.y c. BINGHAM 1,975,707

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed April 1. 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN-roR FREDERICK C. BINGHAM y 71:17 ailier-nays' F. c. BINGHAM LOOSE LEAF BINDER' Filed April 1., 1955 Oct. 2, 1934.

3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR FREDERICK C. BINGHAM BY HIS ATTORNEYS lll,

Patented Oct. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Application. April 1, 1933, serial No. 664,018

10 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf post binders having flexible posts with advantages of rigid posts. upon my invention shown in Patent No. 1,858,132,

` May 10, 1932 and is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No. 573,503, filed November 6,

An object of this invention is to provide an improved. land economical flexible post for a loose leaf post binder.

In the drawings, 4Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal cross secti-on through portions of the clamping bars of'a loose leaf post binder embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a View partly in longitudinal cross section, through a postv such as shown in Figure l, but on a larger scale, showing the bent; Figure 3 is a view ofthe post shown in Figure 2, but showing the post in erect position;

Figures 4 and 5 |show twomodiiications of the post;

Figure 6 isla cross section of the upper clamp-- ing bar, taken on the line 6--6 in Fig. 1, showing the construction of the latch; Figures 7, 8, 9` and 10 show modifications.

The post forming the subject of the invention comprises a central member which is flexible but non-extensible, upon which are threaded two or v Amore 4concentric outer members each formed of coiled stiff spring wire. The improved post is normally erect but flexible. As soon as the post has-been bent, it becomes somewhat rigid through-- out its length, ydue to spring means associated with the flexible central member.

As illustrated in the drawings, 11 represents the central iiexible but non-extensible member, which may be a small exible wire.

The concentricouter members are illustrated in Figs. 1 to 32 inclusive as nested helices 13314 .gg-and 15.

The spring means associated with the flexible member may comprise either a separate spring, such as spring 16;y shown in Figs. 2 and 3i and 160 Fig. 8 and 161 in Fig. 9; or it' may be an in- -tegral continuation of onefor' more ofthe nested helices,l as shown in Fig'. 7 at' 1311, '141. and E51, and in' Fig. l0' at 1'66'.

Referring to the specificembodiment of the invention', as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3f inclusive,

51ja centralV flexible. and inextensible member 11? is provided with an enlarged head. 12 secured to theI flexible member by solder or any other' suitable means.

It is in the nature of animprovement (Cl. 1Z9-41) central member. The relative diameters of the flexible member and of the several helices are preferably such that the inner helix 13' fits loosely upon the flexible member, and the intermediater helix 14 fits loosely upon the inner helix, and the outerv helix 15 ts loosely upon the intermediate helix.

Each helix is preferably made of stiff spring wire so that it will tend to retain its normal shape with its axis forming a straight line. The outer (y helix is preferably tightly coiled, so that it gives the effect of a cylinder with a continuous surface, and consequently sheets in the binder do not tend tol slip between the coils. The intermediate and inner helices may be either tightly coiled as shown in Fig. 2, or loosely coiled as shown in Fig. 8.

- As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the inner helix 13 and the outer helix 15 are coiledv in the same direction, while the intermediate helix 14 is coiled in the opposite direction. This alternation of the direction` of the coiling increases the tendency of the post to remain normally straight.

In assembling the novel post illustrated in Figs.

1 to` 3, a spring 16 is threaded upon the central member 11. The spring 16 may conveniently be 8@ confined within a housing, part of which is interposed between the spring and the helices, 13, 14 and 15 upon the end of which the spring presses, and which forms the outside of the post. In Figs.

1-31 inclusive, such a housing is illustrated com- 85 prising a cap 17 screwed upon a shell 18'. The bore of the Capvll is of suitable diameter to receive the head 12 and spring 16. The bore of shell 18 is large enough to receive spring 16, but toor small to receive the head 12. The spring 16 9@ abuts at one end against head 12 and at the other against the inner shoulder 19 of the shell. The lower outer surface of shell 18 may have a flange 19a which abuts against the top of inner helix 13 and engages with a flanged sleeve 20 which in turn` abuts against the tops of intermediate and outer helices 14 and 15.

The' post at its other end, which for convenience may be called the lower end, may be finished by securing the flexible member 11 to a flanged nipple 21, by any suitable means. For example, the nipple may be hollowed out, the lower end oi' the` flexible member inserted, and the two secured together by solder at 23.

' If-desired, a ilangedv sleeve 22 may be provided to engage' the flanged top of nipple 21. The lower end of helix 131 may bear against the nipple 21 and the' lower ends of helices 14 and 15 may bear against-sleeve 22', as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

spring means associated with the flexible member is integral with at least one of the helices forming the outer members. The outer members cornprise inner helix 130, intermediate helix 140 and outer helix 159. The associated spring means comprises ends 131, 141 and 151 of the respective helices. The spring n sans may be supplied by giving the ends 131, 141 and 151, in the process of manufacture, a greater degree of compressive stress than is given to other portions of respective helices 130, and 150. This greater degree of compressive stress may be given by spacing the turns forming the spring means 131, 141, and 151, farther apart than the turns forming the rest of the helix.

In Fig. S, a housing for the spring means 160, comprises a cap 172 and a disc 37, through which the spring means presses upon the helices 132, 142 and 152.

Figs. 9 and 10 show modified forms of post in which the helices comprising the outer members of the post are of varying lengths, and in which the associated spring means comprise turns of varying diameter to press upon the several helices of the outer member.

1n Fig. 9 the helices 133, 143 and 153 comprising the outer members of the post are of varying lengths. A detached associated spring means 161 in this form comprises turns of varying diameters 162, 163 and 164. The turns 162 of largest diameter press upon the outer helix 153; the turns 163 of intermediate diameter press upon the intermediate helix 143, and the turns 164 of least diameter press upon the inner helix 133 of the outer members. The post illustrated in Fig. 10 differs from that shown in Fig. 9 in that in Fig. 16 the associated spring means 166, comprising turns 167, 168 and 169 of varying diameter, is integral with the outer helix 156.

The novel post is adapted for use in loose leaf binders oi known construction having two clamping bars, 24 and 25 as shown in Fig. 1. The post may be secured in any suitable manner in one bar 24, called for convenience the lower clamping bar.

1n the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the post is provided with a screw nipple 21, (Figs. 1 to 5) or 210 (Fig. 7), which is screwed into a nut 26 secured in the bar 24. but any other suitable means oi securing the post to the bar may be used.

1i desired, the post may be reversible, allowing either end to be secured in the lower clamping bar. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 7. in which the post is provided at the two ends with identical screw threaded portions 41. A suitable cap 170 may be screwed upon whichever end of the post is left free.

The upper bar 25 is hollow and is perforated at 27 to admit the free or upper end of the post.

The cap 17, 170, 171 or 172 of the post may be made of larger diameter than perforation 27, to prevent accidental removal of the upper clamping bar from the post.

rlhe hollow clamping bar 25 has sufficient capacity to contain the upper ends of the posts when they are bent over, and the clamping bar is provided with a pair of covers 28 adapted to bend the upper end of the posts over and to hold them in the clamping bar. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 each cover comprises a U-shaped piece 28 pivoted at 29 to the bar 25, and notched at 30, to receive a catch 31 carried by a slide 32 secured within the bar 25, and operated by thumb piece 33 to lock or unlock the covers. A spring 34 fastened at one end to slide 32 and at its other end to the inside of bar 25, holds the catches 31 normally in engagement with leg 36, that is to say, in locked position.

The novel post normally tends to remain erect, due partly to the close coiling of the helices and partly to the nesting of the several helices. Coiling alternate helices in opposite directions also increases the tendency of the posts to remain erect. The pressure of the spring means upon the helices also aids by helping to keep each helix compressed.

. The wires used in forming the helices may be surliciently small to allow the post to bend at such closely spaced intervals as to give it the practical advantages of a wholly flexible post, while -at the same time its normal tendency to remain erect gives it the advantages of a Wholly rigid post.

In Figs. 1 to 3 and 7, 9 and 10 each helix is shown as made of wire having a cross section of the same shape (circular) and the same size as that of the other helices of the post.

However the several helices may be made of wires of different sizes and cross sections.

Fig. 4 shows a modification in which the inner and intermediate helices are made of wire circular in cross section, while the outer helix 35 is made of wire square in cross section.

Fig. 8 shows a modification in which the inner helix 132 is made of wire the cross section of which has a shorter diameter than that of the two other helices 142 and 152.

Fig. 5 shows a modication in which only two Iii helices are used, the outer helix 45 being flattened or oval in cross section.

Other modications within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art.

In operating a binder embodying the invention,

the upper end of the central member 11 is of such length that, when the post is bent over into the upper clamping bar, the spring is compressed to its maximum degree, as shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, it presses strongly upon the helices, holds the post rigid, and prevents the coils of the outer helix from separating.

To open the binder, the thumb piece 33 is slid to a position where the catches 31 lie in the open end of notches 30, and thus release the covers. Thereupon, the posts will spring up to erect position.

I claim:-

1. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central exible member and nested helices threaded thereon in combination with spring means associated with an end of said central member pressing upon said helices to maintain them compressed.

n 2. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder come prising a cent1-al flexible member and nested helices threaded thereon in combination with spring means associated with an end of said central member and pressing longitudinally of the post upon said helices to maintain the post normally erect.

ias

3. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested closely coiled helices threaded thereon, in combination with spring means associated with an end of said central member and pressing upon said helices to maintain the post normally erect.

4l. A iiexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested closely coiled helices of spring Wire threaded thereon, in combination With spring means associated with an end of said central member and pressing upon said helices to maintain the post normally erect.

5. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested helices threaded thereon, alternate helices being coiled in opposite directions, in combination with spring means associated With an end of said central member pressing upon said helices to maintain them compressed.

6. A iiexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested helices threaded thereon, said helices tting loosely upon each other and upon said central member, in combination with spring means associated With an end of said central member pressing upon said helices to maintain them compressed.

7. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a helical outer member, adapted to stand normally erect, in combination with an inextensible central flexible member, upon which said outer member is threaded, and spring means associated with an end of said central member and pressing upon said outer member and causing said post When bent, to be held rigid.

8. A iiexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested helices threaded thereon in combination With housed spring means associated With an end of said central member, said spring pressing through the housing upon said helices to maintain them compressed.

9. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central iiexible member and nested helices threaded thereon in combination with spring means associated With an end of said central member pressing upon said helices to maintain them compressed, said spring means comprising an integral continuation of at least one of said helices.

10. A flexible post for a loose leaf binder comprising a central flexible member and nested closely coiled helices threaded thereon, in combination with spring means associated With an end of said central member and pressing upon said helices to maintain the post normally erect, said spring means comprising an end of at least one of said helices having the turns in said end spaced farther apart than the turns forming the rest of the helix.

FREDERICK C. BINGHAM. 

